Friends Bulletin-Pacific Yearly Meetings of the Religious Society of Friends-June 1974

Friends Bulletin

PACIFIC YEARLY MEETINGS OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

VOLUME 42, NUMBER 9

JULY/AUGUST 1974

Welcome to
Pacific Yearly Meeting

Being orderly come together . . . proceed in the wisdom of God” Edward Burrough, 1662

In our home there is already the expectancy of yearly meeting, the chance comment, “I can hardly
wait!”, the exchange of recollections of past meetings. I hope it is that way in yours, for PYM is not just
a “Business Meeting” to “be attended from duty or neglected with a sense of guilt” but anticipated as
“an opportunity for all present to share with and support one another in seeking to know and follow
Divine guidance and strengthen the bonds of fellowship which unite them” as our Faith and Practice
sensitively describes it.

Pacific Yearly Meeting is a remarkable community, marked by its joy in fellowship and its annual
discovery and rediscovery of warm and loving relationships. It is a special and precious quality we have.
This year as we come together again we shall be joined by John A. Sullivan of the AFSC, Bob and
Margaret Blood, Elizabeth and Samuel Kirk of Wider Quaker Fellowship and Peggy Pauli representing
the Friends World Committee. Our own sharing within our family becomes enhanced and grows in this
chance for interchange with visiting Friends.

But Pacific Yearly Meeting is also a time of hard work, a chance to know what membership in a
community involves. There are decisions to be made and making them is often difficult. The variety of
viewpoints and attitudes which each brings to the meeting makes unity more difficult, particularly in so
large a group. Yet, if we believe that to each is given a measure of the Light and if we are open to it, then
we know that if trouble arises it is not the method, but our human imperfection and lack of preparation.
Our business sessions are opportunities to “bear and forbear, to practice to one another that love which
suffereth long and is kind.”

Welcome, then, to Yearly Meeting. Come with hearts and minds prepared . . . surely we shall be
refreshed and recreated!

PEGGEMAE H. LACEY
Clerk

Worship- Fellowship Groups

On Worship -

Fellowsliip

PLACE: Yearly Meeting, Worship-Fellowship

room.

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: Twelve to fifteen
Yearly Meeting attenders.

Leader arrives early, arranges the chairs, sits down,
settles into quiet.

Leader musing: What is the best way to help us
all to have a valuable time together? To have a
“meaningful experience”? (Such a beat-up
phrase! What kind of meaning? The meaning of
the Yearly Meeting? Of life? Of God?) They
will be here soon. I must be ready.

Two Friends arrive, sit down, and join in the
silence. Soon a few more come in. They sit in the
circle, and look around tentatively, wondering

(Continued on page 80.)

This year we hope to free the leader, if possible,
from leading as such. What we have been doing for
the most part is experiencing silence for
approximately half the Worship-Fellowship time,
and then the leader suggests a topic which is
developed. This year we want to change the
format. The leader will convene the group in
worship. We trust that out of the silence will come
a deepening and quickening of the spirit. Vocal
ministry or sharing, possibly on a personal level,
may come out of the stillness in the small group. A
person may feel moved to speak more than one
time. Some will share— some will not.

The responsibility for ministry in the Society of
Friends rests on each one of us. Let us give
ourselves the chance to trust the silence and
corporate worship, and speak when we no longer
can keep silent. Out of this sharing may well come
a time during the meeting when worship is at an

(Continued on page 80.)

PAGE 78 - JULY/AUGUST 1974

FRIENDS BULLETIN

FRIENDS BULLETIN
Dennis Durby, Editor
Phone: (213) 439-3387
Pat Brown, Assistant-to-the- Editor
P.O. Box 4367 Pasadena, CA 91106

The official organ of news and opinion of Pacific Yearly Meeting and
North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Second
class postage paid at Pasadena, California.

PUBLISHED monthly except bi-monthly in November-December,
February-March, and July-August at 147 N. Michigan Ave., No. 7,
Pasadena, California 91106. All correspondence should be directed to
maihng address listed above. UnsoUcited contributions of written material
for publication are invited, but cannot be returned.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $3.50 per year. First Class postage $6.00.
Monthly Meetings are encouraged to subscribe for all their members.
Contributions beyond subscriptions are welcomed to help meet actual
costs and reduce Yearly Meeting subsidies. Contributions are tax exempt;
receipts sent on request.

ADVERTISEMENTS: $ .35 donation per line, subject to approval of
contents.

NORTH PACIFIC YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS

Presiding Clerk, 1974: HAROLD CARSON, 6465 113th Ave. N.,
Kirkland, WA 98033

Treasurer: ELLIS JUMP, 3027 NE Ainsworth, Portland, OR 9721 1
Archivist: KENNETH HOLMES, 410 Orchard, Monmouth, OR 97361
Chairman, Steering Committee: ALICE DART, 1430 E. 27th Ave.,
Eugene, OR 97403 (Address all correspondence to Chairman, Steering
Committee)

PACIFIC YEARLY MEETING OFFICERS

Presiding Clerk: PEGGEMAE H. LACEY, 128 7th Ave., San Francisco,
CA 94118

Assistant Clerk: SHIRLEY TWEED, 12585 Jones Bar Rd., Nevada City,
CA 95959

Recording Clerk: ROBERT SCHUTZ, 3587 La Mata Way, Palo Alto, CA
94306

Reading Clerk: THOMAS B. FARLEY, 9 Cresthaven, San Rafael, CA
94903

Statistical Clerk: ELIZABETH DRAPER, 1611 Clemson Dr., Davis, CA
95616

Assistant to Statistical Clerk: GRACE NODA, 340 Mills Dr., Davis, CA
95616

Treasurer: ROBERT YOUNG, 535 N. Fremont Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103

Assistant to Treasurer: ASENATH YOUNG, 535 N. Fremont Dr.,
Pasadena, CA 91 103

Historian-Archivist: ETTA VOGEL, 1678 Casitas Ave., Pasadena, CA
91103

Junior Yearly Meeting Clerk: BRIAN HEILMAN, 5730 Shepard Ave.,
Sacramento, CA 95819

Young Friends Contact: HEATHER RAITT, 903 Snyder, Davis, CA
95616

CLERKS OF COMMITTEES

Bulletin: BEACH LANGSTON, 461 W. Loma Alta Dr., Altadena, CA
91001

Consultative Committee on Organization: GRETCHEN TUTHILL, 1633
Calle Dulce, Vista, CA 92083

Discipline: JOACHIM LEPPMANN, 449 Spruce St., Berkeley, CA 94708

Education: LEE STEELMAN, 144 Avenida de la Paz, San Clemente, CA
92672

Finance: HARRY BAILEY, 4010 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003

Friends in the Orient: J. STUART INNERST, 5840 Camino de la Costa,
La Jolla, CA 92037

Ministry and Oversight: ASENATH YOUNG, 535 N. Fremont Dr.,
Pasadena, CA 91 1 03

Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Homosexuality: LARRY JACKSON, 17522
Horace St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

Subcommittee on Visitation: LOIS BAILEY, 4010 Telegraph Road,
Ventura, CA 93003

Nominating: BARBARA PERRY, 2737 Woolsey St., Berkeley, CA
94705

PYM Holding Corporation: RICHARD ERNST, 4 Presidio Terrace, San
Francisco, CA 94118

Peace: EARLE L. REYNOLDS, P.O. Box 573, Ben Lomond, CA 95005

Social Order: JEAN FLORES, 4508 Gundry, Long Beach, CA 90807

Who Are You?

John 17:21

Who are you

tripping down my life

you running, you slipping

you noisily crowding

you lingering through my life. . . .

who are you, pouring past -

you male, you female

you dark, and you fair

you with the butterflies in your hair. . . .

you who are straight

and you who are not

you who promised but then forgot. . . .

you young, you old

you bundled, you bare

you uncut, you smooth-cheeked

and respectably square. . . .

can you be mortals coming and going

lone separations ebbing and flowing?

Are you not the dawn of one kingdom appearing —

one plan, one purpose, one love

individually revealing. . . .

chalices of laughter, bearers of light

extending, forwards and backwards,

beyond mortal sight. . . ?

you hold a promise, you sail the sea

of Love’s all-inclusive unfolding to me.

William Robert Suddaby

Copyright 1973 by the Christian Science Board of
Directors. Reprinted with permission from The
Christian Science Journal, December, 1973.

Memorial

BRETT, JULIA. In the early morning hours
of May 7, 1974, the loving and beloved spirit of
Julia Brett, sister of Olivia Davis, sHpped from her
fragile body, leaving behind in the hearts of family
and friends many warm and beautiful memories of
her long life of almost eighty-seven years. She died
in the home of her daughter, Mary Daniels, in
Philadelphia. Juha was a cherished member of San
Diego Monthly Meeting, where a Memorial
Meeting was held on May 12. In addition to her
daughter, Julia is survived by two sons and six
grandchildren.

i

FRIENDS BULLETIN

JULY/AUGUST 1974 - PAGE 79

Report of PYM
Peace Committee

The PYM Peace Committee met Saturday
afternoon (June 8) at the L.A. Friends Meeting-
house. After reports were given of Peace
Committee activities in the two Quarterly
Meetings, plans were made for the PYM meetings
in August. Minutes will be offered on amnesty and
the war in Vietnam. Contacts will be made with
both Young Friends and Junior Friends, suggesting
joint meetings to explore the peace interests and
concerns in these groups.

A report was given of progress in plans for the
worship in Peace Studies for high school teachers
to be held August 2-4 at Ben Lomond. We hope
for a wide representation from Friend/teachers.

We discussed relations between AFSC and the
Society of Friends and ways in which cooperation
can be strengthened.

The Korean Concerns Committee of L.A.
Monthly Meeting presented the critical conditions
existing in South Korea, with the rapid erosion of
basic human rights. The possibility of a jointly-
sponsored interest group (Peace, Social Order and
Friend in the Orient) at PYM is being studied.

EARLE REYNOLDS.

Clerk PYM Peace Committee

Notes on tlie 1974
PYM Cliildren’s
Program

Friends are desperately needed as volunteers to
help in the setting up and carrying out of the
Children’s Program at this Yearly Meeting. Marian
Sanders, Coordinator of the program, will be
unable to be at Yearly Meeting this year. She and
Ed will be moving to Pendle Hill, where Ed has
accepted the position of Executive Director.

Unfortunately, many of those who had earlier
been lined up to work with the program have had
to change their plans. Especially needed at present
are Friends to coordinate the pre-school program.
Friends to share crafts with children in the
afternoons, someone to lead informal group
singing nightly following the evening meal and
leaders for the morning children’s program (from
8:30 to9:15).

Friends are asked to contact Lee Steelman,
Clerk of the PYM Education Committee, as soon
as possible, if they would be willing to take on any
responsibilities at all, however small, for any of the
above. Her address is 144 Ave. de la Paz, San
Clemente, CA 92672. Phone: (714) 492-6808.

Memorials

ALEXANDER, MARY V. Mary V. Alexan-
der died in Claremont, California on July 12,
1974. Born in Osaka, Japan on June 22, 1887,
Mary devoted her life to serving others. Her spirit
pervades Claremont Meeting even though failing
health greatly limited her physical presence during
her last years. Though weak of body most of her
life, she nonetheless chose to serve her fellowmen.
Keen of mind, she was ever alert to the tune of
mankind’s move toward universal brotherhood.

The twinkle in her eye called upon the best in
each of us— and her soft-spoken wisdom helped us
find the best in each other. Her love of books was
exceeded only by her love for people and she
spent her life discovering the best of each.
Claremont Meeting can only be stronger of spirit
for having shared her love.

BUTLER, WILLIAM M. BiU Butler of Whit-
leaf Meeting and more recently of Orange County
Meeting died on April 20, 1974. He was a native of
Kansas. Although he had not been in the best of
health since his retirement from the postal service,
he had always managed to enrich us with his
presence at Meetings for Worship and at other
functions. His quiet humor and humbleness, his
devotion to the children of the Meeting, and his
helping will be long remembered. He will also be
missed by the children of Wintersburg School in
Huntington Beach where he gave so much support
to slow learners.

Bill is survived by his wife Harriet, son Alan,
daughter Meredyth, and ten grandchildren. A
beloved daughter, Lyvonne, had suddenly died last
year. Orange County Friends gathered with his
family and friends at Westminster Memorial
Chapel on April 24. A brief service was conducted
by Jack Turk, followed by a flute solo by Lee
Steelman, providing a transition to a Memorial
Meeting after the manner of Friends.

Interest Group

An interest group on “Quaker Understanding of
Christ and Authority” is being arranged for at
Yearly Meeting. Friends interested are asked to
procure a copy of the study booklet by that name,
just published by the Friends World Committee,
American Section, for the “Faith and Life”
dialogue which is going on among the various
branches of American Quakerism. The booklet is
available at $1.00 at the AFSC Bookstore,
Pasadena, or from FWCC offices.

FERNER NUHN

PAGE 80 - JULY/AUGUST 1974

FRIENDS BULLETIN

ON WORSHIP-FELLOWSHIP (Continued)

whether everyone is there. A few moments pass.
Leader: There are many ways we could begin
this Worship-Fellowship group.

One member, quickly: Let’s go around the
circle and tell our names and our Meetings.
Another: Don’t we always do it that way? And
also tell something about ourselves?

Leader: Those are certainly possibilities, but
there are other ways we might try.

Several people speak in turn: “Well, last year,
we all gave suggestions as to what topic we’d
like to talk about.”

“It sounds just like a discussion group to me.
Is that all a Worship-Fellowship group is?”

“I was in a group last year where personal
problems were ^ared, sort of like an encounter
group?”

“But you mentioned another way?”

They pause and look questioningly at the leader.
Leader: It has seemed to many in the Yearly
Meeting that it is time we returned to the
original meaning and intent of Worship-
Fellowship Groups, A true Worship-Fellowship
Group is not a discussion group, and it is not an
encounter group, as those terms are ordinarily
used. In thinking about why we come together
here, we consider that the purpose is to be open
to the Spirit, and to try to know one another in
that which is eternal, and to strengthen our
spiritual bonds. You may ask, as we sit here
sharing the silence, is this then a Meeting for
Worship?

There are both similarities and differences
between a Worship-Fellowship group and a
Meeting for Worship. The simdarity is that we
take time to consider deeply what has been
said; we do not let our contributions follow
quickly one upon the other, but leave space
between them. The difference is that here in
Worship-Fellowship, we talk as one person to
others, rather than, as in Meeting for Worship,
being deep in prayer, and not speaking until we
feel a moving of the Spirit to give a special
message to the gathered Meeting. Also, here,
each person is free to give voice to ideas more
than once during the Meeting. Further, we may
find a given subject which we feel led to pursue.
But we try to do so at a deep level, and not let
ourselves ravel out into inconsequentialities. If
we are faithful in this, we may find a natural
continuity from one day to the next, so that at
the end of the week we feel as if it had been a
single long time of sharing our real selves with
each other, and that we have been enriched
beyond our expectations. This experience can
hold a singularity of joy which may be

unmatched by anything else in the Yearly
Meeting.

Others: We like this idea. Let’s try it. And
perhaps we could leave the saying of names
until the end of the hour.

All settle into silence.

GRETCHEN RUDNICK
La Jolla

WORSHIP-FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

(Continued)

end and Friends desire to discuss as a group
something that has arisen from the silence.

The leader will no longer have the responsibility
to think up a topic or encourage the “shy” ones to
speak. The leader will have to be sensitive to the
propitious time to end the silence in favor of
discussion if that feels right.

BILUE HAMILTON, Clerk
Subcommittee on Groups for Worship-Fellowship

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